Variety (December 1922)

A% , ft* JKriday, December 88» 1922 NEW ACTS THIS WEEK 17 •fTAXIE- •«Tru* Palt* (Trained Dog) 16 Mins.; Fiv* (Parlor) Sth Avo. "Taxio" la a flno-Iooklof rood- alxed bulldog. It la now featured .alone in a turn that, while bearing ita name onlj, haa E«d Allen and a young woman la It. The act may tiayo been formerly billed as Ed Allen and "Taxle." or something to that effect. There la a remembrance •of ihla. but no record appeara In Variety's New Acts flies. While not a new turn la people, the present act-skeleton may be .new. Now there la a proceaslon of cues for the dog, making up a story and concluding with a dramatic bit in which the dog takea part The dramatics through the business in- volved do not run smoothly, but they aufflce with the finale, wherein the bulldog returns to its master a revolver taken by it from a thief who was about to rob the apart- ment, also the purse of money the thief had taken before the dog got It away from him, hiding it in a •afe until his n^aater's return. The act opens with a maid men- tioning no dogs are allowed in the apartment. This later leads to one of the beat bits of dog training shown in some time, and a laugh as well, although a similar bit not so completely worked, however, was once performed in a trained horse act (with the horse in bed). The maid rings the bell to denote she Is returning, when Allen tells "Taxie" to be careful and hide se- curely or it will be put out, as the maid isn't fond of dogs. "Taxie" wallcs over to a rug on the flpor, after thinking it over, apparently. . and then rolls himself into and under it. The animal wcrlcs with little In- struction other than to hear the mention of the articles. Mr. Allen enters with the dog playfully frisk- ing about him as the maid departs, following the opening. He is in evening clothes. As he removes his hat. coat and cane, the dog places them away, returning to his master with a dressing robe. Other ar- ticles are found as mentioned dur- ing the run of the natural conversa- tion of a man spealdng absent- mindedly to his brute friend, in this case Mr. Allen mentioning having gambled at the club and losing, but that he will return later on to re- cover the losses, also speaking of oil stock, all incidental but required f6r the cueing to the dog and story. "Taxie," in the mids'. of jaxz bands, singing singles.and dancing doubles, is totally different in vaudeville. It's amusing to look at. Interesting to study as to the pos- sible manner of training, and the dressing of the turn in its clothes 'j and effects is another point. It's AS much different from the old fa- miliar dog turns as the present drapes are away from the former Olio drops. And besides. If TaudevlUe today ever considers children, which seems doubtful as the brokers continue on their placid and self-same way week after week, here la an act for the children. And hadn't the bookers better commence to think about the children once In a while for vaude- ville? Before there was so much useless "class" to this present-day vaudeville, children were consid- iered for .according to all ftatlntlcs, children do grow up, and what bet- ter to get them aa regulars when they are-young? fitme. ZENO, MOLL and CARL Casting ^ ' 5 Mins.; Full Stage 68th St. All three members of this combi- nation have been long in the aerial field, with the possible exception of the comic, although he is no new- comer. Sport Zeno,. formerly of Zcno, Jordan and Zeno, is still catching, with the flying mostly done by Moll, an excellent per- former. * A triple bar apparatus Is used, with one porch. Moll during stunts rests mcstly on the far bar, with Carl doing nut stuff In between. The best of the tricks Is a twisting som- ersault over the center bar. Never a sign of a slip. The trio clo-^ed the show, a spot it Is worthy of for the three-a-day bills. I^^c^jl MASTER GABRIEL and CO. (2) "CapUin Kiddo" (Comody) 20 Mins.{ Two and Full Staga 58th 8t. Thla ia the first vaudeville show- ing of Master Gabriel sinca the passing of Al Lamar. lAst season Gabriel waa in the caat of "Letty Pepper" and a-bright spot in It For hia return Jack Lait haa aupplled him "Captain Klddo." aomething of an fdea for the little man. In "two" a painted drop pictures the exterior of a small town school. Gabriel in black velvet and tam emerges, pleading his love for a schoolgirl playmate who happens to ba "in love" with Jumbo, a boy her own aize. In defense of her comment aa to hia atatura ha daclarea he might ba only two feet six in height but haa "six-feet-two" ideas. Ga- briel further pursues his suit by calling attention to history, wherein 'tis said little guys always beat the big gophers. He swaggers about, becoming "Captain Kiddo." avenger of the Spanish Main, and brags about the things he will do to the Jumbo boy. The latter, however, changes everything, puts the k. o. over on the little fellow, who while "out" dreanra of. being Kiddo the pirate himself. The act goes into full stage, the hangings picturing the interior of a cave. Jumbo is now "Cannibal Cal," and he enters dragging a maiden, whom he ties to a stake, promising to eat her, among other things. In then struts Gabriel as "Captain Kiddo," who raszes Cal and saves the girl. She falls wildly in love with the little hero, but he's "off women," so he says. Then lights out, for it's Just knockout dream stuff. To afford time for the changes a drop upon which are painted the several characters which Gabriel created is displayed, with attention called by means of a slide. Gabriel comes to again in his 'nickers and ponders on the tales in his book. For one thing, he says the story of David slaying Goliath is a lie. "Captain Kiddo" got aome laughs Monday night. Perhaps In other neighborhoods it will show to better advantage. The act looks several minutes too long, but it's quite a novel vehicle for Gabriel. What It needs is laughs, which should be easily Inserted, for Gabriel can han- dle lines and material as no other one his size ever could. /bee. FOX and SARNO Hand to Hand Lifts 10 Mins.: Full Stage 23d St. Two inrn in athletic g.ub in han*! -nrTinnrt ftfnr. — Hout i no is PiarkeJ with j-poi'l and contains n'veia" tricl<s thnr looi; now. One is briilKC formed by undorstander. who lift.-^- mounter from Btandinp position to two-hiK'n form:»lion. I'nler.-tatMlor swlng.T mounter nroiind in another triclc sinnl.ir to way Arabs manipu- late guns. Standard opening or closing turn for any type of housa. B^lh AL and MURRAY HOWARD Songs and Talk 16 Mins.; one City Al and Murray Howard appear to be twins, a marked general re- semblance being heightened by both wearing the sune styla of comedy garb, derby hats, green neckties, etc. Both do eccentric boob types. It looks as if the team took a good squint at Lewis and Dody when they came to framing up their turn, the Howards' act running along the same general lines aa that of the team mentioned. They open with a double. "He's Me—I'm Him." suggested the Lewis and Dody opening in theme. They walk through a slow dance bit, do a comedy number, bringing in par- odied versions of "Come Back to Erin" and a suggestion of "Mazle- tofr* ("Hebrew Wedding March'i and close with a double nut song, introducing old gags, such as the "Chera Bocha" song does, as done by Lewis and Dody. The Howards' finishing song even has the tag lines at the end of each chorus with quips such as "Yes, wo don't aell ba- nanas." There la a bit of talk In the act and one of the men does a ballad during the running. The turn classes as a good small time double with the comedy song at the finish Insuring numberless encores. The general likeness to the Lewis and Dody style of act, although none of Lewis and Dody's material is in- fringed upon, will be Immediately noticeable to any one familiar. BeJl BOSTON BROS. Hand Bslancers 6 Min9.; full stage 58th St. ^ Two male acrobats In neat attire. The act opens with both lounging at a table. A conventional series of hand-to-hand lifts Is fojlowed by a "heel lift* to a hand fltard. Tht trick is difficult looking on aceouni of the support. The "understandet" ba.lancinK iiimsi i. l»y the knees only The ck)sinB tri- Ic i.s .1 ninnirg di\«* from a "take off board' over two flower baskets to a hand-to-hand ratrh. The men work s!owly nnd v.'ith exaggerated dignity renilnisrent .of the old Fchool. Thi.'i will have to be corrected wh*^n they will be ao- reptable for the-pop bills at eitlioi end. * Con, •^OUTH AND MELODY* (8) Bandy Songa and Dancing 18 Mina.| Full Stage (Special) 23d St. A boy singing, another for Rus- sian stepping and the finale, and a girl, also a dancer, comprise the cast for the offering that carries a flve- piece orchestra. Five dances, three songs, selections by the violinist and pianist make up the turn. A femi- nine member is an added starter to the lineup when she sings from an upper box for a chorus. The encore, called for, resulted in another mel- ody from the front of the house and sent the actual running time to 20 minutes. The orchestra (Dinty Moore's) at no tlma ateps forth to deliver a number enaemble but contents itself with two of the boys soloing. The remainder of their work is playing the schedule. Popular ditties are offered by the singer, who Is in a dinner coat, be- sides which he does a bit of Jazx dancing. The girl appeara twice, singly, her initial effort being on her toes, the next of the acrobatic type. She makes two changes of costume. The dancing seems to reach its high mark with, the entrance of the aec- ond boy, who appears to be Just a youngster, and his underslung foot- work. The trio combine for the finale. -; v The act Is suitable aa to appear- ance, being set in special drapes with a pink and blue light effect. The orchestra, consisting of a vio- lin, piano, saxophone, • cornet and drums, are in evening dress, which aids the general Illusion. Careful manipulating of the knife In cut- ting down should be of assistance and the girl singer out front might be done away with. It offsets any effort the company may be making for class. The house took kindly to the turn at a matinee and tl\e applause was deserving of an encore. But it is evident that if a "plant" is an act's choice as the means of supplying an aftermath there is some touching up to be done somewhere. Bkiff. LaVINE and RITZ Songs, Piano and Dancaa 11 Mins.; one Fifth Avenue Two men of neat appearance, formerly of LaVIne, Bits and Au- brey, on pop time. La Vine la again at the piano, the roytlne opening with a snappy lyric by Kits. A duet number following, Bits then going Into an eccentric dance. During it, LaVine supplied Jazz via a phoney sax. The latter singled with an Impression of a moving picture pianist to fair purpose. The best of the work was imita- tion bits coming at the close of the turn. Bits announcing the impres- sions were of famous names, none being mentioned. It waa easy enough to recognize the artists meant. Bits did a couple of dances and LaVine imitated the Creole Fashion Plate, using a falsetto, and Bits concluded with speed stepping. The boys got over nicely ia the No. 2 spot They can make that position easily In the better three- a-day and can be moved down on some bllla. Ibee, LaFRANCE and BYRON Talk 13 Mins.; One (Special) 23d St. Two men depicting a "pork and beans" repre.sentative of the fistic art and his manager. Both In blackface before a drop of the ex- terior of the scene of the fight, sup- posedly taking place as the act opens. The situation allows for an abun- dance of conversation concluding in a eong which provides a finish. The cross-chatter contains little that might bring this couple up to the average mark. It has mostly to do with the manager using a .superfluous vocabulary to trim his 'leather pu.sher' out of the coin. The general idea of the act ap- l^ears as giving promise, though it J3 going to take much revamping of the dialog to make it suitable for the larger houses. Bkig. CORRELL, WESTON and GARD- NER Singing and Comedy 18 Mins.; Two (Special) 23d St. Two men and woman—straight man, soubret and comir—in slnginr; ii.d t.ilking skit. Sp"' ial set show- itiK deck of boat Ij.u k.s up talk and .'^tiefialties. C'omif does modified Dutch rharui ter without facia! make-up nnd wifii light dialec; .■fraiRiif sinijs pleasantly. Act ap- pears to have been put together witi, sm.ill timf audiences as objective. It's hoke of the ronvontional ho: lliat can't fail in tin; pop house-. BcJl. MADELINE COLLINS Soprano 14 Mins.; Full Stage Riverside Madeline Collins Is billed as "Prima Donna at the Itoyal Opera, Covent Garden, London." She car- ries a leader in the pit and no pian- ist, a system rare in this country. She works in a house interior, full, for no reason, the stage decked with the conventional prop flower bas- kets, etc. Monday night she drew bouquets over the footlights and considerable applause, but was not a marked sensation. Mlsa Colllna appears to be at the prime of her physical life, but as a great artist she has either worn her- self out or hasn't yet arrived. Her voice aoundM weary and powerless except in a few soprano throat notes. The very high ones were thin and*the low ones were weak. As to pitch, her throat was true; but as to charming vocalization, it waa frequently neutral. She wore a shimmering dress of silver bead stuff and looked a lik- able, wholesome young women with a good smile and reddish hair. Her makeup was heavy, too much rouge and eye blue. She sang a song that no one paid any attention to t>ecause it had no color or character, and then did the heavy aria from "Trav- iata," announcing It This haa been sung by the most famous sopranos in operatic history. Miss Collins gave it considerable feeling, but her voice failed to register the extrem- ities. "Annie Laurie" with colora- tura Interpolations followed, and was scarcely worthy of a Covent Garden prima d9nra, as It failed of any important .noments. Tho flow- ers then arrived and Miss Collins essayed a light popular' ballad, oniy fair—the Einging and the song. Spotted fourth on the Riverside bill. Miss Collins was welcome and got by. But she will have to develop or reveal a great deal that was ab- sent Monday night before she can carve a niche in American Vaude- ville. Lait. BARONESS VON KOPPEN ^ Violinista • 11 Mins.; One 23d St. Tall middle aged woman whose bearing comports well with titled billing. She Is an excellent musi- cian, displaying a mastery of the violin that denotes years of study and application. Three selections given were varied, but a bit too heavy for vaudeville. Operatic standard flrst, played with atrings muted and unmuted; second, a num- ber giving opportunity for pyrotech- nlcal flnger gymnastics. Number with double stops and more display of technic for encore, encore Inci- dentally insisted on by house. Elach of three numbers seemed a bit too long. One pop piece or medley should replace one of classical trio. If woman Is really a baroness, that could be utilized for publicity to ad- vantage. With revibion of repertoire should be easily possible to frame a turn around woman's violin play- ing that would qualify for early po- sition in minor circuits. Bell. BEEQE and QUPEE Roller Skaters 8 Mins.; Full Stage Fifth Ave. Boy and girl, the latter a blonde who looks well in the several cos- tume changes. A special skating surface Is carried, as usual, and hangings of gray rraterial supply a bit of stage dressing. The stunt skating is done by the boy. One of his tricks is the light- ing of match and clgaret while rap- idly whirling. A duet clog dance on skates on the apron was a cl.ange of pace, the boy then get- ting something with speedy one- foot spinning. The finale trick is exceptional, the boy strapping a de- vice on his chest. The girl's skates are locked In It and as she Is spun around she also revolves—a sort of double-action angle spin. It's an effective bit and the apparent dar- ing sent the team off to strong returns in the opening spot. Ibce. PISANO and LANDAUER Talk and Songs 15 Mins.; One 5th Ave. Two men. one a "wop" and the other in Swede character and ac- cent, although tho accent is made strong only at times. The couple ■onlrast in appeaFim^r. tir e ' BmailP r man being the Italian immigrant ind the other a tall, booblsh looking .Swode. Nothing mar'.UMl al)out fion;;s or sinking, nothing to equip thi.s act with itH present material for l>etter liian the three-a-day. where ft \a crtain for entertainment, in<*ludir;T 'laughs, Sime. PAUL REESE and O'CONNOII TWINS Piano and Songa i 14 Mins.; One j Golden Gate, San Francisco San Francisco. Dec. 20. Paul Beese, at the piano, sin^ra., an introductory number, after which the twins make their en- trance. The girls have dark bobbed.; hair and present a charming ap^^ pearance. They start with a Dlxia melody which entails some nice harmony. All three then combine on a com* edy lyric which registers for 1 ughs. Another comic number Im' offered by Beese while the girls ara changing, after which the sistera return In overalla for another song. A ballad, announced as being %■. composition of the pianist, aufflcad-i for an <-ncore. 1 The act did nicely here and should prove capable of holding an' early spot when some improve*.^ ments are made. The twina wouUll do well to have another numbar«l and a change of costume following the overall, bit vould noc be with-j out Its advantages. Beese at tha piano Is on a par with the girlfl; and ahares honors with them. ... ... . ■A.^ ■'i;!'.' ..>' --.^''•f ■;,,i. ^■f^^]^!ii■ "H D Q" (4) Dramatic Sketch 22 Min.; Qn* and Full Stage Grand, Albany, N. Y. Two Albany newspaper men«/j Thomas C. Stowell and Jacob GoNj den, are pioneers in writing a vaude-!: vlllo playlet centered about radio. The hero ia a radio Instrument, and it showed acting ability by holding tense Interest every time it spoke. The collaborators have written a playlet, "H D Q" by name, that ap- pears to be the season's real nov- elty. The play la a well constructed Action of a murder case being thrashed out in a police station. ItJ manipulates the varioua turna oC^ dramatic surprises with effective-^ nesa. Badio ia really the fourth ac«i tor (or the flrst actor) in the caat—»i a new arm of the law, invisible and inexorable, woven quite naturally into the atory. A police captain, a private detec- Ive and a woman tell the tale of a murder committed within th*^ shadow of the police station; of th*»; web of circumstantial evidence that weavea itself around the Woman and then the dramatic twist that gives the play the stirring climax. And the climax la brought about by the voice of the radio. The fourtli; character works off ataga through*- out the sketch. The authors have written good stage dialog and the plot moves' easily, with little that is forced by; dramatic license. Many a full' grown crook drama has less meat than this vivid playlet Burke. DOROTHY WATERS 1 Songs and Dancing ~^ 15 Mina.; one '.?; Maryland, Baltimora Baltimore, Dec. 20. Here ia a perfectly good kid act spoiled by the Injection of a hint of "rough-stuff." For those who may enjoy witnessing a child, of about 12 or 13, walking through an audi« once patting bald men on tho head, twisting the hair of others and finally kissing one before she re*, turns to the stage, the act will prob- ably satisfy. But there's a differ- ence between "cute" and "fresliT' This little girl can dance like a sprite, works In the most ditncult eccentric steps with ease and then topa It off with a claptrap routine that embodies almost anything to gain applause. The opening song Is below par, though her delivery is sufficient and the dance steps register. Follows a jazz piece and the ramble through the audience. A return to the stage allows for several flip sayings in the midst of a dance which, in turn. Is succeeded by a Scotch numbet The concluding episode Is the wallop in the form of a Bussian dance, excep- tionally well done. The girl undoubtedly has posHibili- ties and though, seemingly, not quite ready to enter the larger theatres she should have no trouble In gain- ing recognition throughout the thrice daily hou.ses. Though it's al- ways questionable how the vulgar bits of manneri.«ims will be received by various audiences. "COSMOPOLITAN DANCERS" (7) 15 Mins.; Three (Special Drop) State ■ —-^——— Four girls and three men In 1^ Iliis.sjan -Spanish dance revae that includes Rome corking billet atuft in addition to the vodka and fan* dango teri>.^. The costumiufj is con- ventionally appropriate and the routine .smooth iiut familiar. The a't ii an excellent fln'»h for tl:f b':; thrte-a-diy. Ab^^k -